By: Emergency Technical Decon Team
Fire departments across the country are answering more calls than ever. From structure fires and vehicle incidents to medical emergencies, the demand for turnout gear is relentless. High-call volume departments often find their gear exposed to contaminants multiple times in a single shift, leaving little time for proper cleaning and drying. Traditional washer-extractor methods simply can’t keep up with this pace.
Liquid CO2+ cleaning, however, is built for the fireground and designed to meet the needs of busy departments. By providing faster turnaround, superior contaminant removal, and better gear preservation, Liquid CO2+ is the smart choice for modern fire service operations.
The Fireground Challenge of High Call Volumes
Busy metro and combination fire departments face unique challenges. Their gear is constantly exposed to soot, hydrocarbons, and toxic compounds like PFAS. Between back-to-back calls, there’s little time for proper gear rotation or extended drying periods. Traditional cleaning methods—while familiar—often leave departments struggling with:
- Delayed turnaround times when gear takes hours to wash and dry.
- Gear degradation from repeated water-based cycles and harsh detergents.
- Incomplete contaminant removal, leaving firefighters exposed even after cleaning.
As calls increase, these problems compound. Departments need a solution that’s both fast and thorough.
Why Traditional Cleaning Falls Short
Conventional water-based extraction systems are often viewed as the standard, but they come with trade-offs. These machines rely on water, detergents, and heat, all of which can weaken moisture barriers and thermal liners over time. Gear may need to be replaced sooner, adding to costs and budget strain.
Moreover, traditional washing methods are not highly effective against PFAS and other persistent contaminants. Residues can remain embedded in fabric fibers even after multiple wash cycles. For high-call departments, this means gear can remain a health risk despite being “cleaned.”
Why Liquid CO2+ Works Better
Liquid CO2+ cleaning offers a fundamentally different approach that solves these pain points:
- Superior Contaminant Removal: Third-party testing shows that Liquid CO2+ removes up to 84% of PFAS and 99.9% of other harmful residues, outperforming traditional methods.
- Faster Turnaround: Liquid CO2+ cleaning requires no drying time, meaning gear is ready for service sooner—an essential advantage for departments that can’t afford downtime.
- Gentle on Gear: Unlike water-based washing, Liquid CO2+ is a dry, pressurized cleaning process that preserves fabric integrity, helping turnout gear last longer.
- Eco-Friendly: With zero water runoff and no toxic detergents, it’s a sustainable solution that aligns with environmental compliance goals.
Designed for Busy Departments
High-call departments need systems that save time and reduce stress on both crews and equipment. Liquid CO2+ cleaning meets these needs by enabling rapid gear rotation without sacrificing safety or quality. For departments running hundreds of calls per month, the difference is clear:
- Less downtime: Gear returns to service faster, reducing the need for costly spare sets.
- Lower replacement costs: Preserved gear life reduces the frequency of costly replacements.
- Improved health and compliance: Advanced contaminant removal aligns with NFPA 1850 standards and supports cancer prevention initiatives.
Liquid CO2+ cleaning is about operational efficiency and firefighter health, key elements of a successful high-volume department.
ETD’s Approach
At Emergency Technical Decon (ETD), we’ve built our Liquid CO2+ services with busy departments in mind. We provide:
- Pickup and delivery services to keep gear in rotation.
- Digital cleaning reports for NFPA 1850 compliance and recordkeeping.
- Tailored cleaning programs that scale to your department’s call volume and operational needs.
With ETD, high-call departments can focus on what they do best, protecting their communities, while we handle the gear safety side.
Why It’s Time to Upgrade Your Cleaning Process
The fire service is evolving, and so are the hazards firefighters face. Traditional washer-extractors simply weren’t designed to tackle today’s chemical risks or the demands of modern call volumes. Liquid CO2+ cleaning is faster, safer, and better for your budget.
For high-call volume departments, Liquid CO2+ cleaning is a strategic advantage.
Ready to see how Liquid CO2+ can keep your department’s gear cleaner and in service longer? Request a service from ETD and experience why more departments are making the switch to advanced decon solutions.
